As.Eye.Go.03

Everything up until now was practice

First off, a quick introduction. The text to follow only applies to my work as a photographer. There may be some overlap where the idea seems like it should  apply to my life in general but thats not how I’m thinking about it as I put these fingers to keyboard.

Lately, this line has been bouncing around in my head: “Everything up until now was practice.” It’s a simple concept. Just a different framing on my past work as exactly that. The past. It’s not just about moving forward. It’s about using my history as a foundation, knowing the tools are now there, but completely wiping the slate clean, and starting out fresh. No old hangups. No insecurities.

Everything up until now was practice?

I’m not physically doing anything. I’m not deleting images or throwing out all my negatives and prints. I’m also under no illusion that I know it all and I have nothing else to learn. I will always be learning and applying it to my work (and life) as I go. It’s just the mindset I’m embracing.

Is there a plan?

There is no plan.

What sparked this?

I’ve rented out a physical space to show (and try to sell) my work.

What took you so long?

I was scared I guess.

Of what?

I don’t even really know. Maybe, being seen.

When I was building up an inventory of images to put in the space, I spent a lot of time going through old work and I came to the realization that all my work I really liked, was the most recent work. And by recent, I mean the last  week. And in my mind I felt I kind of maybe turned a corner? And here’s the thing, putting myself out there, in a shop was a major step for me. I can’t stress how major. So it was like two corners had been turned.

Whats funny is, now that it's done and the first step has been taken it’s kind of like the floodgates have opened. I’ve since reached out to be in a second location and signed up to be in an art fair. By the way, this is without yet selling anything. But it’s not like I’m selling anything while these images sit on my computer or the negatives sit in a drawer either. It's step one. It took me out of my comfort zone and now I want to try to be anywhere I can to get eyes on my work and maybe, if people see the work and it hits right for the right person, a sale. I’m under no illusion that I will get rich doing this. For that matter, I’m under no illusion that I will even make any money at all doing this. My goal is at best, maybe breaking even. I’m going to keep making the images either way so I may as well try.

So what is changing?

My mindset!

Everything up until now was practice.